GTU Voices - Foundations for the Future: Riess and Tara Potterveld

Dr. Riess Potterveld, former president of the Graduate Theological Union (GTU), shares a deep connection to the institution with his wife, Tara, a sign language interpreter and artist. Although Riess’ seminary education and pursuit of a PhD rooted him in Protestant Christianity, his studies and travels deepened his appreciation for Buddhism, Hinduism, and other religious traditions. These newfound sentiments compelled Riess to champion interfaith dialogue, recognizing the importance of understanding diverse perspectives in an increasingly interconnected world. Under his leadership the GTU expanded its commitment to inclusivity, opening the Center for Dharma Studies two years into his tenure as president. The Pottervelds recognize the GTU's vital role in creating welcoming spaces for learning and discussion in an increasingly polarized world. To ensure its mission endures, they have included the institution in their estate planning. In a recent conversation, they reflected on the intersection of art and faith, the necessity of interfaith dialogue, and the importance of preserving the GTU as a beacon of understanding. This article is based on that conversation. 

For both Riess and Tara Potterveld, the GTU serves as a model of coexistence and intellectual inquiry. “When GTU was founded in 1962, its initial focus was bringing Catholics and Protestants together for dialogue—an idea that was very forward-thinking at the time,” Riess explains. "However, even in those early days, GTU’s vision extended beyond Christianity. They wanted to include the world’s other great religious traditions. Over time, they established a Center for Jewish Studies, then a Center for Islamic Studies about 30 years later. In the past decade or so, they’ve accelerated efforts to incorporate missing voices and ensure that those gathered at the table represent the full human family of faith traditions.”  

Indeed, gathering at the table of dialogue underscores the GTU’s mission: providing a space where deep, often difficult conversations take place with respect and mutual curiosity. Riess, who served as the GTU’s president from 2013 to 2018, highlights the growing necessity for such interfaith engagement. “Creating a safe space for these discussions is crucial. When presenting an idea that differs from your own tradition—or when introducing a new perspective—you should feel secure in expressing your thoughts. Even if others disagree, there should be mutual respect and room for meaningful exchange.... In a world where traditions interpenetrate more than ever, this work is essential.” 

Tara’s artistic practice embodies this vision, citing sculpture and dance as forms of spiritual expression that transcend words. “My art is about humanity,” she explains. “I’ve done bronzes of women from all over the country, and to me, they all have a lot of meaning.” She sees movement as equally significant, recalling a Center for the Arts and Religion (CARe) event where a dance ceremoniously led visitors into the building—an exemplary celebration of the human body through movement. Tara speaks with enthusiasm about CARe and its director, Dr. Elizabeth Peña, noting, “[CARe] touches on visual representations and spoken word. That’s very exciting to me.” 

As Tara observes, “Art lifts religion. My Catholic cousins go to a church with beautiful stained-glass windows, incense—everything for the senses.” She emphasizes that the GTU’s embrace of the arts is integral to its vision of interfaith dialogue, stating, “GTU is very necessary because we need safe places to talk about the issues of the world. And not just the religions of the world—the arts, too.” 

Riess’s reflections on the evolution of religious traditions align with this appreciation for diverse expressions of faith. “Most people tend to follow the religion they were born into, influenced by their parents and upbringing,” he says, acknowledging his own journey from Christian ministry into a broader engagement with multiple faith traditions. “Studying other religions allows us to see the rich, deep understandings that different traditions have about the universe, ethics, and the human experience.” 

In a world increasingly shaped by migration and global interconnectedness, Riess sees institutions like the GTU as crucial for fostering understanding. “We live next door to each other. We interact. That can lead to conflict and misunderstanding, but it can also lead to healing, mutuality, and respect.” 

Like many academic institutions, the GTU faces financial challenges, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. “All institutions have been struggling financially,” Tara acknowledges. “But we need GTU as part of our wider community. The students who are there for their PhDs often incur a lot of debt. Some come from other countries and would love to see their families occasionally, but financially, it’s not feasible. We want to support these amazing students.” 

Riess echoes this sentiment, underscoring the importance of long-term stewardship. “We know that someday we want this institution to keep thriving, but we won’t always be here to offer an annual gift. That’s why we’ve considered making a substantial gift into endowments or legacy programs. We want to ensure that GTU’s work continues.” 

Ultimately, Tara and Riess see the GTU as more than just an academic institution; it is a model for how people of different faiths and backgrounds can engage with one another. “We value dialogue,” Tara says. “We value people coming together to talk about issues—not necessarily to solve them, but to raise a different model of communication. Our country, with all its fractures and divisions, needs places like GTU.” 

Their words carry a call to action: to recognize GTU’s role in creating spaces for interfaith and intercultural exchange, and to ensure that its mission endures for generations to come. “We need to lay the foundations for the future,” Riess says. “Because the work GTU does—bringing people together, deepening wisdom traditions, fostering respect—has never been more important.”